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MG MGB Technical - steering - high speed issues

hi

I have a 1968 bgt. At high speeds 60+ when turning the steering wheel there seems to be movement in the steering wheel before the wheels seem to move on both right and left turns. It is only a minor amount and does not seem at all noticable at lower speeds.

has anyone else encountered this or have ideas as to what it could be?

(the front supension bushes are new polyurethane ones)
nev

I've yet to get mine to that speed (seriously, just started driving it), but I'd guess it's because of the little springs between the inner tie rods and steering rack...not sure though.
Glenn

nev. Check out the U joint between the steering column and the shaft from the steering box. I had a bad U joint in my 68 GT which did exactly the same thing and got progressively worse. In the early stages, I could not feel any movement, but as it got worse, you could feel the play when holding the upper and lower columns and twisting them.

Other than that, which seems to be fairly rare, but may be related to the fact that the steering column U joint is long lived and is just now beginning to go bad, check all of the connections for any play. Jack up the front end and put jack stands under the spring pans. Then, see if moving the wheels from side to side reveals any movement that is not indicated by the steering wheel. Make sure the arms which attach to the kingpins are tight and the tie rod ends are tight. Look for physical movement on the steering box. With a car that is 35 years old, the systems wear and, now, require replacement. The MGB steering is very tight and positive when working properly. My daughters (one has a 77 B and the other, being very short, has a Miata) refer to my wife's Mustang convertable as "the land barge". An MG should be crisp, clean and positive in its handling. If not, I would find out where Chris Betson lives and take the car into him. He seems to be highly competent and I would tend to trust his evaluation. Les
Les Bengtson

Nev,

Your steering should be ok to well over the speed limit, unmodified B's tend to get light at at 70 or so, but you would probably only encounter this on motorways, and the front spoiler usually cures this.

It certainly sounds like something is worn in the steering or front suspension......best plan is to see an mg specialist in your area.

Mike
Michael barnfather

This thread was discussed between 23/08/2003 and 27/08/2003

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